According to Matt Webster, the head of Fuse Games, the developer behind Star Wars: Galactic Racer, the Netflix series Drive to Survive was a significant source of inspiration for the game right from its inception.
Drive to Survive on Netflix chronicles the ups and downs of Formula 1 drivers throughout a season of the F1 World Championship. Webster mentioned to GamesIndustry.biz, “The drama and excitement off the tracks are just as captivating as the action on the tracks. I feel like it has been toned down a bit lately, but those rivalries… You want people to get along, but you also really want some tension.”
Webster explained that Fuse Games aimed to evoke similar emotions in Galactic Racer. The game includes segments where players engage with different characters in the racing paddock of each track. “The paddock was a crucial element for us, as it immerses players in the world of Star Wars and allows them to interact closely with the Star Wars characters,” Webster noted, highlighting its significance in pacing the game.
“Most importantly, it provides a calm space to balance out the high-speed racing,” he added. “Because you can only handle so much intensity before needing a breather. You need that contrast.”
The complete interview with Webster by GamesIndustry.biz, conducted at Game Republic New Horizons, can be accessed here.
Star Wars: Galactic Racer was released on October 6 on PC, PlayStation, and Xbox, and is also accessible on Amazon’s Luna streaming service. The game has been well-received by critics, currently holding an 88 Metacritic score for the PS5 version.
Earlier this year, in an interview with GamesIndustry.biz, Webster discussed why he believed there was a demand in the market for Galactic Racer, the first Star Wars racing game since 2002. “Gaming genres go through cycles. We’ve seen shooters dominate for a while, but that’s not the only genre out there. As more people engage in gaming, even the smallest niches find a larger audience.”